OPENING QUESTIONS
How would you describe your social life?
A: Moderate - balance between seeing people and having me time.
B: Centered around by daughter.
C: It’s pretty boring. I have a handful of close friends and rarely “go out.”
D: Pretty social
E: Not during weekdays but will try and plan something fun on weekends. Enjoy going to do stuff once and a week.
What do you look forward to when getting together with your friends?
A: Just catching up, sharing stories, doing new activities together.
B: Catching up.
C: Not having to hang out by myself.
D: Having fun, being around them and feeling comfortable and happy
E: Just having people to chat with and catch up on life.
What types of activities do you plan with your friends & family?
A: Eating, going out, house parties, games, travel.
B: We hang out!
C: Art shows, dinners or just stay in and play YouTube DJ.
D: I like chill things. Dinners, movies, travel. Beach days when it’s warm out, getting together and making food
E: Dinner, drinks and sometimes it’s active like hikes.
What methods or apps do you use to stay in touch with your friends?
A: FB, Instagram, iMessage, Email, Whatsapp.
B: Text and Whatsapp.
C: Text and Instagram.
D: Mostly texting. Occasionally connecting through Instagram, Facebook or calls but mostly texting
E: IG, Whatsapp, iMessage, sometimes Facetime (with mum to see dog).
Can you share some specific features within that app that makes it useful and fun to use?
A: Instant camera and video, bold text, reply to individual messages, mentioning others, send location, send links, seeing if someone is online, seeing shares media, search chat.
B: Whatsapp: Like the share location, @mention, option to communicate via video, audio and text, library of media, call, attach document, send gif and stickers.
FB Messenger: I can message anyone in my FB list of friends (more contacts than my phone), group video/audio call, ability to see if messages are read, reactions to messages are fun, mute chat.
C: I loooooooove GIF’s, emojis, I love sharing pictures and videos with my friends, love that I can reply to specific messages, that I also can send audio messages, because I have so much to say and usually I do, I’m tired of texting when it’s easier just to record yourself, and I like that I can go private, so nobody can see if I’m online or not.
D: You can like people’s post especially if it’s a big group, shared media, polls. For FB messenger I like the stickers, when the photo gallery of pictures comes out, adding stickers to camera.
E: iMessage - common platform among friends so it’s the default. Easy to share links, media. Whatsapp - more for international friends and family. Gmail when there’s details involved and requires more planning like a baby shower. It’s kind of effective but email allows people to view it in their own time. Also can attach Google doc and sheet to plan things. Attachments are good. Able to create timeline in a Google sheet that is shared - people can add their own details and booking info.
What’s your preferred platform to communicate in a group?
A: Telegram, iMessage, Whatsapp.
B: Whatsapp, FB Messenger.
C: Whatsapp, iMessage.
D: GroupMe, FB Messenger.
E: iMessage, Whatsapp.
What information are you trying to get from group chats?
A: What people are up to –– I mostly use it with my friends who live in different cities from me. If they’re local, what time we are meeting up and where.
B: Mainly just updates and sharing big news with friends scattered around the world. Also to plan meetups with local friends. Sometimes people just want to share something that made them laugh.
C: Depends on the reason I got involved into group messaging, either plan something, or discuss something or somebody lol.
D: Keeping in touch with larger groups, lots of planning for meet ups, more functional in large groups.
E: Usually around planning an event like dinner, or a special event. The larger the event and more people it starts out in gmail and google sheets, then switch to text messaging closer or during the event to receive immediate responses.
What features do you dislike when chatting in a group?
A: Not being able to reply to an individual message, not seeing timestamps.
B: Details getting lost (have to scroll and find specific message), active group chat (like the ability to mute), can’t be transparent with everyone in the group chat (usually go on to create a separate group chat)
C: That I can’t highlight message and have to scroll all the way.
D: Not having the option to like individual posts, not being able to add images easily. I would like to change my name on chats.
E: If I’m not in the mindset to plan that specific thing and there’s a stream of texts and it’s anxious to have to respond immediately. On the other hand if I want to get things done I’m able.
EVENT PLANNING WITH LARGE GROUPS
How often do you plan an activity or event with your friends?
A: 1-2 times every fortnight.
B: Almost never.
C: Rarely, if ever.
D: 1-2x a week. Mostly with friends as my family lives out of state.
E: Not often, around twice a year for large group activities.
When was the last time you planned an activity or event with your friends? (Find out pain points and stories)
A: NYE - Organized a group of friends to get tickets to the same event. Talked about logistics before the event and what we needed to bring. Used FB group message and Whatsapp group message - used two platforms because of different group of friends. At first it was having two different discussions and then migrated to a single group chat on FB made it easier.
B: One month ago; bowling and sound check of my daughter’s uncle’s band.
C: This summer I went on road trip with my bestie to see family.
D: Saw a movie with my friend last Friday.
E: Dinner with 4-5 people, 3 months ago.
Tell us about the last time you arranged a meetup through a group chat. Can you share the reason behind why you decided to meet?
A: It was when I went back home for the holidays and some of my friends who also live away were visiting. We decided to go kayaking for the day since it was the only time we were all going to be together. We wanted to also catch up.
B: Arranged a catch up with a couple we hadn’t seen in a while. They are also fellow foodie buddies so we always try new restaurants together.
C: It was December when I needed to let all my employees to know that we have a Christmas party from work and I wanted to make sure that everybody knows the place, date and and confirmation from them, so I can book the right amount of people.
D: I was trying to meet with my housemates from college and we have a group chat in messenger and we haven’t seen each other in a long time. It was easy because it was a smaller group.
E: It was through Gmail. My friend is pregnant and we were trying to plan a surprise birthday for her but cancelled it because she hates surprises. It was to plan the details of the day trip to Connecticut.
How do you usually communicate when you want to make plans with your friends? How do they usually make plans with you?
A: We’re usually already in a group chat so we’ll just message and see what everyone’s up to - usually a back and forth. Easier in a group chat so you don’t have to repeat what’s being said to someone else who may not be active in the convo. Can also see the history to look/confirm information.
B: Text.
C: Almost always text or call.
D: Again, usually via texting both ways
E: Email if it’s a larger group, group text if it’s less than 5
What do you dislike about group chats?
A: When I’m in a chat with people I don’t care about what they say but I can’t leave because the main purpose is someone I care about and most likely the reason why I’m in the group.
B: When the group chat goes berserk and I have to put it on mute. Also easy to miss details when making plans with a large group of people.
C: I get annoyed when people texting something stupid, and I start receiving 100 messages and they about nothing and I have to spend half an hour to go through it.
D: I love them. I guess sometimes there were too many messages. I wish I knew about that before. It can get annoying if I get a notification for all of them. I want them grouped.
E: Feel pressured to respond right away. Hard to tell tone through text. People get sensitive and misread the tone.
What makes you uncomfortable in group chats?
A: When people argue.
B: Awkward moment - Example there’s one member who wasn’t invited to something else previously so it’s awkward to bring up that specific trip/event.
C: People who I don’t want to talk to.
D: Not much. Sometimes people can be passive aggressive and it bypasses fundamental interactions. It makes miss my friends IRL.
E: When people gang up on someone - picking or making fun on someone.
What was the worst experience planning an event/meetup?
A: Planning my wedding - a lot of moving parts, different parties overseas, wasn’t hard - just challenging. Planning an overseas travel is also frustrating if not everyone comes back to you in a timely fashion, a lot of logistics, likelihood that prices will go up if plans aren’t confirmed soon. People who can’t make up their mind can be annoying.
B: I haven't had one that I can remember.
C: No one shows up.
D: Agreeing with friends on an itinerary when we planned a trip to France & Italy.
E: Coordinating everyone’s schedules and finding the right venue is the challenge. And then finding venue that meets expectations and is available.
Describe the most successful experience you had planning a meet up or event.
A: Organized a surprise bday dinner and had to confirm with friends individually. Had to find the perfect restaurant that suited different people’s diets, budget, timing, etc. and it all worked out! Keeping everyone updated and the event under wraps made it successful.
B: Perhaps one of my daughter’s birthday parties at Brooklyn Bowl.
C: I had a couple of my friends come to my bike meetup.
D: Planning my 30th birthday trip to LA in 2018. My best friend and I FaceTimed and went over everything together. Restaurants we would make reservations at, attractions we would go see, bars we would have drinks at. Then a couple surprises he planned on his own.
E: Everyone having a good time - my wedding. We focused on the experience, had a wedding website. Responded via emails and messages.
In detail, can you go through the last time you planned a small event/meetup (Happy Hour, dinner, etc)?
A: I wanted to go see one of my favorite DJs play at a club and decided to invite my boyfriend, cousin and roommate. I always text or call my boyfriend so I just told him the information via phone and confirmed via text; I told my cousin via text and sent the event details through a screen grab of the email I received and I told my roommate about it when I saw him.
B: There was a music event I was keen to see so I forwarded the event detail link to the existing group chat of friends I know would be keen too. We decided it would be easier if one person to bought all the tickets so I did that. On the day of the event we coordinated where to meet for drinks. Post event we shared pics we took together that night.
C: *same as above*.
D: I’m trying to meet 3 other friends either on Saturday or Sunday but it’s very confusing because of everyone’s schedule. It’d be easier IRL but through text it’s hard. Everyone is waiting for someone else to decide.
E: Right before the holidays I had people come over to my new place. Just a casual meetup and ordered in food. Texted everyone in a group chat to see if the day worked for everyone and told to invite others. Told them it was going to be food delivery.
In detail, can you go through the last time you planned a big event (road trip, traveling in general)?
A: My last camping trip to Devil’s Tombstone in update NY with my boyfriend, cousin and his girlfriend. My cousin and I mostly planned everything even though we and his girlfriend were in a group chat. We all shared a to-do list via notes together materials for our trip.
B: I planned a trip to Cuba with 2 other people. Firstly we looked flight prices and accommodation from airbnb. After agreeing on our top picks we booked those main details. Over the next few weeks I’ll research activities and recommendations from airbnb, TripAdvisor and various travel blogs. My other 2 friends were not picky so I sent them a few options with different price points and we agreed on what we thought seemed most interesting. I booked the activities, created calendar invites with the details and sent those out. I also made a list of possible restaurants to eat in Google Maps and downloaded the Cuba map. In our group chat we sent links and reminders about visa and forwarded some Cuba tips from other friends.
C: *same as above*.
D: I planned my boyfriend’s 21st birthday as an Airbnb in Ithaca. I made a FB group that was private. It was an easy way to compile links, polls, and other information. It was the best way to have him not find out.
E: Back in Sept friends was getting married so I planned her bachelorette. She gave me a list of people to invite so I emailed them to get a headcount who’s coming and staying overnight. Also organized where we were going - chose a few options and emailed options to group. Also forwarded the menu and got everyone to decide so I could pre-order. All communication via email as there was a lot of people I’m not familiar with so they wouldn’t be in a group text message.
Tell me about the last time a group event planning activity went successfully?
A: Same as the example above (birthday surprise).
B: This past bowling/music sound check.
C: My art show during Basel 2017 was great even my bff made a surprise visit from out of state.
D: Same reference as question #5. It was myself, my best friend in LA, another close friend in LA and my other best friend who flew to LA from Seattle. We all had seamless travel, everything was arranged for our arrival and things went how we planned for them to go.
E: See above
Tell me about the last time a group event planning activity failed?
A: Recently there was a miscommunication on event date - both parties thought it was a different Thursday.
B: I do not have one I can recall failing.
C: Last bike meet up when people rsvp’d and showed up with no bikes then went to rent bike share one block away and never came back.
D: Again, referencing my trip to Europe. Two of the three friends I went with constantly wanted to do different things than I did and it eventually got so frustrating and so argumentative that after one day in Italy, I flew back to France and spent the second half of my trip alone
E: Today our interviewee didn’t show up as she had a misunderstanding on the location. Communication method was via email and Google Calendar.
What’s the most frustrating thing about planning an event?
A: People not making up their mind and not decided on what to do.
B: People you don’t know very well and aren’t very decisive - makes it hard to suggest and agree on venue/activities. Also balancing the varying availabilities, budgets and preferences.
C: To get the answer from people, all the messages were oh I m not sure, let me check my calendar, why is this place, can we choose something else so people started giving advices when nobody asked. The place and date was stated all I need was the confirmation that you are coming. And Never follow up, I need to constantly remind them like hey I m waiting for the answer.
D: Making sure all the people were unanimous on board. Some people had to compromise. Find a good way to compile links.
E: People without an opinion or preference is annoying. Also planning food is hard with different dietary needs. People changing plans last minute is frustrating - had to go back to list of emails and count again because people kept changing their mind. I don’t use FB events because friends are on it less these days so not very responsive.
What is the best way for your friends to reach out to you?
A: Any app on my phone - mostly FB messenger, Whatsapp and iMessage where I get push notifications. Email and phone calls not so good as it gets missed and I’m in meetings a lot. Has to be apps that I check often.
B: Text.
C: Text.
D: Definitely texting. It’s the only way I can remember things especially when they share a specific date and/or time, iPhone will automatically hyperlink it and I can just click on it and it will jump over to my calendar and create an event reminder.
E: Text and email.
COMMUNICATION
What is the best methods for you to make plans with your friends? Why?
A: Usually a group chat. I’m a fan of FB events - works when all your friends are on FB. I can create a RSVP list, it’s integrated with Google Maps for location. I can update the details without resending messages to everyone. I can see all the responses and it has a built in chat forum so guests can post pictures pre and post event.
B: Text it is the most simple.
C: Text or DM because we are all busy and it allows to reply at our leisure.
D: I like plans to be made ahead. Spontaneity can be great sometimes but in general, I like plans made in advance and texting is great because it’s in writing if I need to go back and recall something I forgot.
E: Text unless it’s over 5 people will move to email.
Do you usually plan events with someone else or alone? Why?
A: Alone. I usually don’t hang out in groups because it gives me anxiety but when I do it’s usually other people doing the planning. If they need help I’ll offer my services.
B: It depends - if it’s an activity I’m familiar with I’ll research and send options to the group. If it’s a more complicated activity that involves more people I will co-plan with another friend and divide the responsibilities based on our capabilities. For example I was planning a hens party for a girlfriend and there was a lot of details to confirm with other parties I had never met. Together with 3 other girls we divided the responsibilities and budget.
C: I’m very spontaneous person so I don’t need to plan an event if I go on my own, because I agree with myself and know what i want. With people is different situation, cause it depends on schedule and event.
D: Equally alone and with someone. I’m bad at planning. Actually, I just end up in that role and it stress me out. I prefer to show up to places.
E: Usually plan it with someone but this time I had a mutual friend who helped with venue research. Prefer to have someone to bounce ideas with.
What apps do you use in order to coordinate meeting up with your friends?
A: Usually just a group chat if its casual. FB event if it requires confirmation of numbers, cost etc
B: Text or Whatsapp.
C: Instagram.
D: Mostly just texting. If making dinner plans, I’ll use “OpenTable” to make reservations or sometimes the “AMC” app for movies. Travel apps like “Expedia” or “JustFly” are great for planning trips.
E: Mainly from laptop - google calendar.
What features of those apps do you like and dislike when coordinating the meetups?
A: Main thing is knowing everyone is being updated and has access to updated changes. Having a closed group audience to send updates and post things - guests who don’t know each other can communicate. Also don’t have to worry about friends creating new accounts as they already have FB accounts.
B: They are all okay no complaints.
C: I can tell when people seen the invite.
D: I understand technology quite well so for me, it’s usually a pretty seamless experience.
E: Don’t usually use it for social invites - more for personal reference.
What would your ideal way of coordinating events with your friends look like?
A: Group chat that then creates a calendar invite/event - not having to do a 2 step process (discussing the plan then creating a calendar event). Not having to reenter the same information over again.
B: A group text.
C: I post a flyer on IG and people just show up.
D: Exactly as it is
E: My friend once used this app for a bachelorette party - everyone filled in a form with their availabilities and it compiled the answers and created the top date and time, and people most likely to attend.
How do you resolve conflicting interests when planning an event?
A: I usually don’t care and end up doing what the other person does if it doesn’t conflict too much with my interests. If it does, I propose that we compromise. Usually my friends and I are easy going and never have a problem when planning.
B: I’ll try to suggest alternatives and as a group we’ll vote on our preferences.
C: I mean I give options to people but not more than three, otherwise it will be a mess. It’s up to three different things.
D: I leave it up to the person with the loudest voice.
SITUATIONAL
You want to meet your friends for Happy Hour drinks today after work. Describe the steps on how you would do this.
A: I open a group text with all of them there and I ask them when they’re all free and can meet. When I find out who the person with the latest time that could meet up is, I add 30-45 minutes and make that the time to meet. As far as where, I find a place where it’s convenient to everyone to get to from work and to home. I’m a very considerate person.
B: I’ll text the details (suggest either a new/favorite venue and time) to my group of friends and validate it with some excuse like “It’s been a long as week and I miss you girls!”.
C: I will send a group text messages it depends which friends I m gonna choose the platform its either Whatsapp or regular text. I put them in the group and say what I want to do and wait for the answer. I already know where to go and what hour. I won’t start planning something If I don’t have place and time.
D: I have to decide which friends because then I have to decide the application. I’ll open Whatsapp and say “Hey guys, let’s do happy hour?” If i wanted to do something quickly I would research somewhere nearby so I’m close to the train, find a good, cheap place, give them the place and ask for what time, they will all give me their answers and I’ll decide for them and there will bickering and then we meet.
E: First I’d text people to see if they wanna meet up and see what time everyone finishes work. Then decide on location - in city or Brooklyn than research a few options based on everyone’s responses.
You and your 5 friends want to go to Hawaii for Spring Break. Describe the steps on how you would do this.
A: We will all be in a group chat and I’ll make a Google Doc and share it with everyone that includes information like time, location, dates, and what we want to do so everyone can put their information and interests in whenever they want and color coded. This way we can make edits as we got and in the group chat we can fill each other in with any last bits of information.
B: We’ll make a group chat called “Hawaii Spring break” and start forwarding links to possible accommodation and activities to do. We’ll look up flight prices and agree on dates, book our flight individually and agree on which accommodation suits everyone’s budgets. If there’s a popular restaurant or activity that requires advanced booking we’ll try and get everyone to agree and then confirm the booking. If there is a friend that wants to join last minute I’ll make a PDF itinerary (usually a template found online) or if it’s more complicated, an excel sheet with all the confirmed booking details so she can book the same stuff and plan around our trip.
C: Just understanding the question gives me a headache. I would open a group chat and propose my idea. Approximately dates and place to go. Nothing else otherwise it will be a mess. First I wanna find out if there’s a desire to go there. If everybody is down, we start thinking when everybody can go, after the date is good I will be asking budget and based on that I ll go online airBnb and ticket purchasing after I found 3 different options I send and we will be agreeing on that, and I asked people send me the passports I’ll buy everything and they will send me money back.
D: First I would research plane tickets, hotels, things to do in Hawaii and then I’ll compile that and send it to my friends to convince them to go with me. And then I would make a poll about dates, locations, things they would like to see. That would also be a shit show and then it would happen.
E: Started an email chain then researched individually and input in google doc. Divided responsibilities; Sending airbnb options - one person in charge of booking accommodation, one person in charge of restaurants etc. Once everything is booked, we’ll use Splitwise to tally costs.